On February 22nd, a Special MP/MLA court directed a new investigation into bribery allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The case, involving allegations of bribery against CM Siddaramaiah, will undergo fresh investigation which is earlier rejected by Special MLA/MP Court.
KARNATAKA: On February 22, a Special MP/MLA Court directed a new investigation into bribery allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Later, the Karnataka Lokayukta Police was told to start a fresh investigation into bribery claims against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Special MP/MLA court was not satisfied with the initial report that suggested closing the case. These allegations were brought forward by BJP leader NR Ramesh in 2022, who accused Siddaramaiah of accepting a bribe back in 2015.
The complaint by NR Ramesh from November 2022 claimed Siddaramaiah received Rs 1.3 crore from L Vivekananda, a friend, supposedly for helping Vivekananda get a position at the Bangalore Turf Club when Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister before.
Siddaramaiah argues that the money was a loan and had been properly declared. Ramesh, however, says the loan was not paid back and suggests that giving Vivekananda the job was in return for the money, calling it a “kickback.” He also accuses Siddaramaiah of violating tax laws.
After Siddaramaiah became Chief Minister again in 2023, the Lokayukta Police recommended closing the case. But Ramesh’s lawyer challenged this decision, claiming it was unlawful and submitted additional documents to the court.
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Justice Santhosh Gajanana Bhat has given the police six months to complete this fresh investigation and submitted the report accordingly. The next hearing is scheduled to take place on August 22.
Recently, the court ordered a thorough re-investigation into the bribery allegations against Siddaramaiah, to be completed within six months. This case is getting a lot of attention, highlighting the close watch on politicians and their financial activities in Karnataka.
